Device and method for performing respiratory training

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for performing respiratory training, in particular altitude training, comprising a mouthpiece ( 1 ) through which a person can exhale respiratory gas into a volume ( 2, 3 a, 7 ) or can inhale it out of the volume ( 2, 3 a, 7 ), wherein this volume ( 2, 3 a, 7 ) is formed at least in part by a container ( 2 ) which is adjustable in terms of its volume and which is connected to the mouthpiece, wherein the volume ( 2, 3 a, 7 ) adjoins one side of at least one gas-permeable membrane ( 4 ), to the other side of which at least one gas exchange chamber ( 3 b ) is connected, through which a fluid provided for the gas exchange, in particular CO 2 and/or O 2 gas exchange, can actively flow. Furthermore, the invention also relates to a method for performing respiratory training, in particular altitude training, wherein a person exhales into a training device through a mouthpiece ( 1 ) and inhales from this training device, wherein the O 2 and/or CO 2 partial pressure in the respiratory gas inhaled from the device is influenced by exchange of O 2 and/or CO 2 between the respiratory gas in the training device and a fluid provided for the gas exchange through at least one gas-permeable membrane ( 4 ).

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. An apparatus for respiratory training, the apparatus comprising:
 a mouthpiece through which a person is able to exhale and inhale respiratory gas; 
 a variable-volume container forming at least part of a closed space connected to the mouthpiece; 
 at least one gas-permeable membrane delimiting a part of the closed space on one side and forming on an opposite side a gas-exchange chamber; and 
 means operated by the respiratory gas flow of the inhaled and exhaled respiratory gas for flowing an O 2  or CO 2  gas-exchange fluid over the opposite side of the membrane. 
 
     
     
       2. The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the container is closed to ambient air. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus according to  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a breath-gas reservoir forming part of the closed space immediately adjacent the variable-volume container, the breath-gas reservoir comprising movable or flexible wall regions so that the volume of the breath-gas reservoir can be made larger or smaller by inflowing and outflowing respiratory gas. 
 
     
     
       4. The apparatus according to  claim 3 , further comprising:
 means for limiting movement and thus a maximum volume of the breath-gas reservoir the limiting means including at least one adjustable stop against which the movable or flexible wall regions of the breath-gas reservoir can engage at maximum filling with the respiratory gas. 
 
     
     
       5. The apparatus according to  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a valve in the closed space so as to release respiratory gas through the valve out to the environment from the closed space when there is a positive pressure relative to the outside environment or to draw fresh air in through the valve to the closed space when there is a negative pressure relative to the outside environment. 
 
     
     
       6. The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the closed space adjoins respective outer surfaces of a plurality of gas-permeable tubular fibers in the interior of which the CO 2  or O 2  gas-exchange fluid flows actively in use. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the gas-permeable tubular fibers are formed by a modularly assemblable mount comprising at least one module having a plurality of the tubular fibers. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the container is a variable-length bellows or comprises at least two container sections that telescope relative to one another.